Garment bag for kilt and accessories

ABSTRACT

A kilt garment bag is disclosed. The kilt garment bag includes one or more belt loops, sporran pouches and a pair of shoe pouches for accommodating one or more kilt ensembles. An opening in a top of the garment bag allows one or more hanger hooks to pass therethrough. Hangers maintaining kilts, along with belts, sporrans and shoes, can be stored and carried in the kilt garment bag disclosed herein. Securing straps provide means for securing the one or more kilts and corresponding accessories during travel. Clan crests may adorn outer surfaces of the kilt garment bag to personalize and identify the same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a garment bag designed to accommodate a kilt and related accessories.

BACKGROUND

Kilts have been in fashion for centuries and their origins have many tales. Regardless of the history, kilts continue to be worn at special occasions, including highland type games. For many of the occasions the kilts and associated accessories (e.g., belts, sporrans and shoes) must be stored for travel. Consequently, kilts and accessories, like other articles of clothing, are usually stored for travel in suitcases.

Unfortunately, suitcases are not ideal for kilts or the accessories because the kilts and accessories become badly wrinkled and otherwise disheveled. Therefore, in many cases, if time permits, they must be pressed before being worn. If time does not permit, they must be worn in the unappealing condition. As the kilts are worn primarily at special occasions, it is not suitable that they be wrinkled or otherwise disheveled.

Thus, there exists a need for an article of baggage (e.g., a garment bag) tailored to accommodate one or more kilt and corresponding accessories.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is a kilt garment bag comprising: a garment member defining an interior space; means for accessing the interior space; an opening near a top of said garment member for permitting one or more hanger hooks to pass therethrough; one or more sporran pouches, shoe pouches and belt loops integrated within said interior space and accessible when said interior space is accessed; and wherein the one or more sporran pouches, shoe pouches and belt loops are operable to maintain sporrans, shoes and belts, respectively, within the interior space.

Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a Prince Charlie type kilt ensemble which can be stored for travel with the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an interior space of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

On Jun. 19, 2006, applicant filed co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/425,039 directed to a unique kilt hanger. Applicant incorporates the entire disclosure of the co-pending application herein.

Initial reference is made to FIG. 1 illustrating a Prince Charlie kilt ensemble 100 and accessories being worn by a user. The Prince Charlie kilt ensemble includes a kilt 105, jacket 110 and is accessorized with shoes 115 (e.g., Ghillie Brogue), belts 120 and a sporran 130. Such outfits are normally worn several times a year to special events such as highland type games thereby requiring the kilts and accessories to be packaged or stored for travel. Moreover, there are typically two or three such kilt ensembles necessary for a given event. Unfortunately, there is no suitable baggage for accommodating one or more kilts and the associated accessories.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a garment bag allowing for the convenient and rugged storage of one or more kilts and corresponding accessories. The garment bag of the present invention includes features, as described below, which maintain one or more kilts and accessories in a wearable condition for immediate use upon unpacking.

Now referring to FIGS. 2-4 showing a front view, rear view and side, respectively, a garment bag 150 includes means 152 for accessing an interior space of the garment bag 150. Means include a zipper, buttons, hook and loop fasteners and similar mechanisms. In one embodiment, the zipper substantially traverses the circumference of the garment bag 150 rather than extending vertically. An opening 153 at a top of the garment bag 150 permits multiple hanger hooks to exit therethrough so that the garment bag 150 and its contents can be hanged. The garment bag 150 is ideally fabricated of a heavyweight rip-stop fabric or similar durable material to protect the one or more kilts and their accessories. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of materials may be used to manufacture the garment bag 150. Manufacturing of the garment bag 150 may be accomplished utilizing a single piece of material or multiple joined pieces of material. In either case, the material or garment member forming the garment bag 150 defines an interior space for maintaining one or more kilt ensembles. The side view shown in FIG. 4 illustrates a depth, from front to back, associated with the garment bag 150. The depth allows the one or more kilt ensembles to be packed without undue pressure or stress on the individual ensemble pieces thereby preventing wrinkling.

FIG. 5 generally shows an interior space of the garment bag 150. More particularly, one inner surface 155 of the garment bag 150 is shown. The inner surface 155, ideally a rear inner surface, includes a series of belt loops 160-1 through 160-3, sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 and a pair of shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2. As shown, the belt loops 160-1 through 160-3 are evenly spaced and positioned near a top portion of the garment bag 150, the sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 are positioned near a center portion of the garment bag 150 and the shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2 are positioned near a bottom of the garment bag 150. Also, as shown, the garment bag 150 accommodates three belts and sporrans corresponding to three kilt ensembles, but, based on the configuration of the interior space, the number may be more or less.

The belt loops 160-1 through 160-3 are sewn or otherwise connected, joined and/or integrated with the rear inner surface 155 of the garment bag 150 and resemble belt loops found on men's pants. During use, belts from a kilt ensemble are hanged by their buckles from the belt loops 160-1 through 160-3 such that they hang over the sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 and may extend to the shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2. Each belt may be secured by a horizontal belt strap 175. In one embodiment, the belt strap 175 has one end secured to the garment bag 100 and one free end 176 with means, including Velcro®, buttons, snaps or other means for removably attaching it to the garment bag 100 (shown as a Velcro® member 177) when placed over a belt.

The sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 are shown with a U-shape but other shapes may be utilized. Like the belt loops 160-1 through 160-3, the sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 are sewn or otherwise connected, joined and/or integrated with the rear inner surface 155 of the garment bag 150. Also, the sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 are shown in a configuration whereby two of the pouches are positioned above the third pouch. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the pouches 165-1 through 165-3 may number more or less than three and may be positioned in any number of configurations. Each sporran pouch 165-1 through 165-3 may include a vertical security strap 167, Velcro®, buttons, snaps or other security and/or closure means. In one embodiment, an elongated Velcro( member 168 is affixed to an outside surface of each sporran pouch 165-1 through 165-3 while the security strap 167 includes a fixed end and a Velcro® member at a free end 168 thereof allowing the straps 167 to be removably attached to any portion of the elongated member 168 providing for containment of various sized sporrans.

The shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2 are adapted to receive a shoe of the type (e.g., Ghillie Brogue) customarily worn with kilt ensembles. Straps 180-1 and 180-2 provide means for maintaining shoes in the shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2 during travel. During use, the straps 180-1 and 180-2 extend from a first permanent connection on one side (ideally, the rear inner surface 155) of each shoe pouch 170-1 and 170-2 around a heel portion of a subject shoe and removably connect to an opposite side of each shoe pouch 170-1 and 170-2. The removable connection may be facilitated by buttons, snaps, Velcro® or other suitable connection means 185.

While many configurations are possible, the configuration of the belt loops 160-1 through 160-3, sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 and shoe pouches 170-1 and 170-2 as shown in FIG. 5 is symmetric about a vertical center line thereby offering a balanced garment bag 150 regardless of whether one, two or three kilt ensembles are stored therein. More specifically, with one kilt ensemble, the center belt loop 160-2 and lower sporran pouch 165-3 are used, with two kilt ensembles, the outer two belt loops 160-1 and 160-3 and upper two sporran pouches 165-1 and 165-2 are used and with three kilt ensembles all three belt loops 160-1 through 160-3 and sporran pouches 165-1 through 165-3 are used.

Once the belts, sporrans and shoes have been positioned within the garment bag 150, one or more kilt hangers in accordance with the co-pending application hereto may then, along with the maintained kilts, be placed in the garment bag 150 such that a hook portion of the kilt hanger(s) extend through the opening at the top of the garment bag 150. Regular, non-kilt hangers may also be used in conjunction with the garment bag 150. Thereafter, the garment bag 150 is closed using the closure means 152. In another embodiment, the hanger hooks are held internally by loops 154 near a top portion of the garment bag 100. Such loops 154 maintain the hangers such that no hanger hooks extend from within the bag 100. New security measures at many airports require that hanger hooks be completely recessed within garment bags. A shoulder strap (not shown) may be attached to garment bag 100 to provide a method of carrying the garment bag 100 since the hanger hooks are within the garment bag 100.

The unique design of the garment bag 150 permits one or more kilt ensembles to be securely stored for travel. Advantageously, the one or more kilt ensembles are in one location for easy retrieval.

In some embodiments, the garment bag 150 can be decorated with clan crests signifying the clan to which the garment bag owner belongs. Such clan crests can be on either a front or back of the garment bag 150. Other decorations may adorn the garment bag 150 as well. In addition, a small internal pocket 190 is used to conceal cedar chips or similar materials to prevent moths from attacking and ruining the contained kilts.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

1. A garment bag for storing one or more kilt ensembles comprising: a garment member defining an interior space; means for accessing the interior space; an opening near a top of said garment member for permitting one or more hanger hooks to pass therethrough; one or more sporran pouches, shoe pouches and belt loops integrated within said interior space and accessible when said interior space is accessed; and wherein the one or more sporran pouches, pair of shoe pouches and one or more belt loops are operable to maintain sporrans, shoes and belts, respectively, within the interior space.
 2. The garment bag of claim 1 further comprising one or more straps for securing one or more sporrans in the one or more sporran pouches and/or one or more belts within the interior space.
 3. The garment bag of claim 1 wherein the one or more sporran pouches, pair of shoe pouches and one or more belt loops are integrated on a rear inner surface of the garment member.
 4. The garment bag of claim 1 further comprising three sporran pouches integrated in a triangular configuration.
 5. The garment bag of claim 4 further comprising three belt loops integrated in a generally horizontal line above the three sporran pouches.
 6. The garment bag of claim 1 wherein the pair of shoe pouches are integrated at a bottom of the garment member.
 7. The garment bag of claim 1 further comprising integrated straps for retaining shoes in the shoe pouches.
 8. The garment bag of claim 1 further comprising one or more loops near a top of the garment bag, said loops operable to receive hanger hooks such that the hangers are concealed within the garment bag.
 9. A garment bag for storing one or more kilt ensembles comprising: a material member defining an interior space; means for opening and closing the material member to access the interior space; an opening near a top of said material member for permitting one or more hanger hooks to pass therethrough; three sporran pouches arranged in a triangular configuration, three belt loops arranged in a generally horizontal pattern above said sporran pouches and a pair of shoe pouches, said three sporran pouches, three belt loops and pair of shoe pouches integrated within said interior space and accessible when said means for opening and closing the material member is open; and wherein the three sporran pouches, pair of shoe pouches and three belt loops are operable to store three sporrans, a pair of shoes and three belts, respectively, within the interior space.
 10. The garment bag of claim 9 further comprising one or more straps for securing one or more sporrans in the one or more sporran pouches and/or one or more belts within the interior space.
 11. The garment bag of claim 9 wherein the three sporran pouches, pair of shoe pouches and three belt loops are integrated on a rear interior surface of the material member.
 12. The garment bag of claim 9 further comprising integrated straps for retaining shoes in the shoe pouches.
 13. The garment bag of claim 9 further comprising one or more loops near a top of the garment bag, said loops operable to receive hanger hooks such that the hangers are concealed within the garment bag.
 14. A garment bag for storing one or more kilts and related accessories comprising: an interior space defined by a protective member having at least a front and rear section, said protective member including an opening to accommodate hanger hooks; one or more belt loops integrated on an inner surface of said rear section, each said belt loop having an associated strap for securing belts in place within the garment bag; one or more sporran pouches integrated on an inner surface of said rear section, said sporran pouches having securing means for maintaining the sporrans in place with the garment bag; and one or more shoe pouches integrated near a bottom of the interior space, said shoe pouches each having a strap for securing said shoes in place within said garment bag.
 15. The garment bag of claim 14 further comprising three sporran pouches integrated in a triangular configuration.
 16. The garment bag of claim 14 further comprising three belt loops integrated in a generally horizontal line above the three sporran pouches.
 17. The garment bag of claim 14 further comprising one or more loops near a top of the garment bag, said loops operable to receive hanger hooks such that the hangers are concealed within the garment bag.
 18. The garment bag of claim 14 further comprising a pocket for containing moth repellant materials. 